Biological bases of behaviour: parts and functions of the brain Flashcards
Where is the hindbrain located?
At the base of brain near back of skull
What is the function of the hindbrain?
Controls vital activities over which we have no control
What structures is the hindbrain made up of?
The cerebellum and the medulla
What is the cerebellum?
Located in hindbrain; receives information from sensory systems, spinal cord and other parts of brain and uses it to regulate posture and balance and coordinate fine muscle movements. Thought to be involved in motor learning that involves practice.
Where is the medulla and what is its function?
At base of brain in front of cerebellum.
Controls vital functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, swallowing
Where is the midbrain located?
On top of hindbrain under cerebral hemispheres
What does the midbrain do?
Receives messages from all senses except smell and sends them to higher brain regions that deal with those senses.
Receives replies that it directs to places such as cerebellum.
What is a part of the midbrain?
Reticular formation
What is the reticular formation?
Nerves running through centre of midbrain from forebrain to hindbrain that screen incoming information so higher brain centres tend to important information.
What function is a part of the reticular formation?
The Reticular activating system has pathways going up to cerebral cortex and down to spinal cord; increases/dampens arousal level and muscle tone in response to feedback from brain.
What are some of the functions/roles of reticular formation?
Reticular formation plays role in controlling sleeping, waking and level of alertness.
What is the forebrain?
The largest and most highly developed part of the brain
What is the function of the forebrain?
Coordinates and regulates functions of brain
Plays major role in how we think, feel and behave
What structures does the forebrain consist of?
Hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus function
Regulates release of hormone controlling body temperature, our biological clock, sex drive, and thirst and hunger needs
Thalamus function
Filters information from senses (except from nose) and passes it on to appropriate part of the brain for processing.
Regulates arousal through connecting to reticular activating system
What is the cerebral cortex/cortex?
The wrinkled outer layer of the brain with two hemispheres
Where is the cerebrum?
Comprises mostly of the forebrain; located above and in front of cerebellum. Has two hemispheres
Define hemispheres
The two halves of the cerebral cortex that are separated by a deep groove
Define corpus callosum
A thick band of fibres in the middle of the brain that allows messages to be sent from one hemisphere to the other
What would be the effect/s of the corpus callosum being cut?
The hemispheres would not be able to communicate, and the right side of the body would not know what the left side of the body is doing.
Which hemisphere controls which side of the body?
Right- receives sensory information and controls movement of left side
Left- receives sensory information and controls movement of right side
Specialisations of left hemisphere
- Verbal functions e.g. speaking, reading, writing, understanding language
- Reasoning/analysing/interpreting information
- Analytical thinking, sequential processing, logical reasoning
- Science and maths
Specialisations of right hemisphere
- Visual-spatial tasks (e.g. maps, jigsaws)
- Art and music
- Detection and expression of emotion
- Recognition of faces and patterns
- Holistic thought
- Intuition and creativity
What are lobes? Name the lobes of the cerebral cortex.
Lobes are areas defines by deep fissures/grooves in cortex, each with different functions. Each hemisphere has 4:
-Parietal, temporal, frontal, occipital
Location of frontal lobe
At front of each hemisphere, in front of parietal lobe and above temporal lobe
Function of frontal lobe
Control of voluntary movement
Abstract thinking
Regulation of emotional behaviour
Personality
What happens if frontal lobe is damaged?
Personality may change; decrease in capacity for reasoning and problem solving
Location of temporal lobes
On each side of brain, under cerebral hemispheres
Function of temporal lobe
Receive and process verbal and non-verbal auditory information
Critical role in understanding speech, interpreting sounds
What happens if temporal lobe is damaged?
Person’s language ability is affected
Location of occipital lobes
At back of brain above cerebellum
Function of occipital lobes
Receive and process visual information such as colour, shape and motion
What happens if occipital lobes are damaged?
Can affect vision, even if eyes and connecting nerves to brain are normal
Location of parietal lobes
Above occipital lobe and behind frontal lobe
Function of parietal lobes
Integrates sensory information relating to touch, temperature, position in space and muscle movement
What happens if parietal lobes are damaged?
Reduction in bodily feelings
